A Creative Heart: Decorating

..for creative eating!!

Yes..even when eating you can have a "creative" adventure! This happened to me recently while visiting my son and daughter in law. We all went out to dinner at a wonderful Japanese restaurant..the FUN kind...where the food is cooked right in front of you. We love it! For the entertainment and the yummy food.

So here was my first choice eating utensil...

...for further observation of this intricate chopstick design....

The Chef called...

TRAINING WHEELS!

I love them, and I had to share the photo so you can...even make your own! Talk about being Creative!!!

I just had to have a set for my collection...wouldn't you?

Here is my little collection... I've been told the writing says..

Good Eating...or as the French say... Bon Appetit!

Sometimes just a little touch can make a difference...

Why not use Chop Sticks tonight!!

I love to make Sunday dinner special. To take the time to just set a pretty table makes such a difference. I really do this on a daily basis, even for just my husband and I.

I fear sometimes that people misunderstand and think me to be "showy" when contrariwise, I'm just being a Homemaker and taking a little extra effort to make my home; even at meal time a pleasant place to be, if not a memorable one.

The dishes in the photo...pretty..are ones collected at the grocery store! Yep..buy groceries and get a lovely place setting for a mere $5. I did this over a period of time and VOILA...look at the simple, yet pretty presentation.

We recently had a young couple over for Sunday dinner when this photo was taken. The husband commented..mind you the HUSBAND....

"these are very nice dishes"...

he noticed? Yes...men do.

My husband has always appreciated a meal with a nicely set table..not that we haven't ever eaten off paper plates! What a lifesaver in time of need!!! And there have been the plastic days...but, then too..I try to find even plastic that is nice to look at on the table. Why not? Why not take a little effort to make everything in your home life special. This is your place of refuge...your husband's when he comes home from a day out there...battling the world the flesh and the devil.

I looked up some words for this post.

CRAFT: occupation requiring special skill

Skill in DOING or MAKING something with great care.

INGENUITY: quality of being cleverly inventive, resourceful.
Skill of conception or design.

Now, take these two words and put them in the category of the HOME.

Just setting the table can require a care in DOING something with conception,design and resourcefulness.

Let's say...instead of putting a cooking pot in the middle of the table (my mom would just die!)...but really, think of the difference if you were to just reach into the cupboard and pull out a nice bowl and place the same ingredients in a bowl and place on the table. DIFFERENCE ladies!! Now I'm not at CAMP!

There is a "place" for some things!

I have some very nice white bowls from WALMART! not expensive...but go with everything and even brightens up the table!

I have white dishes that I love...but now starting to show the 20 years of age...so for Thanksgiving we bought a lovely set with a green trim and white/cream center. I made sure to find a set that complimented the rest of my dishes so not to buy a whole new array of "matching" items. RESOURCEFUL!

For this table...I bought a small piece of fabric and cut squares..finished off the edges and made cloth napkins and put the extras under each plate. I was so pleased at the outcome..simple. I then found these pumpkins at WALMART! for .50 and added my candlesticks given to me by my mother years ago. By the way...the glass punch cups..from Big Lots, less than .50 a piece.

My blue and white dishes I had first (purchased many years ago...and still in use...then the white dishes (a 25th Wedding Anniversary gift from kids)but, worked well with my blue and whites! When my mother gave me b'day money one year, I found the salt shakers at Pier One Imports on SALE for $3 I couldn't believe it! RESOURCEFUL! though matching. YEA!

Why not take a little more desire and have fun as a Homemaker...you will find that it is an enjoyable "occupation" that becomes a creative time of pleasure. Add a little candle now and then...or a little bouquet...or cloth napkins (just throw in the wash!) not so hard to do...

another thing...I always use baskets with a cloth for rolls, muffins etc. I had someone comment one time..

"Oh, don't do that for us"...I replied..." I always do this!".

So you see....they saw it as an extra SPECIAL touch. I did tell them, I would do this especially for you even if it wasn't routine here! They smiled.

Being a homemaker does take skill...purpose full skill that is acquired over time. I've been married 35 years...lots of practise and fun! The enjoyment surpasses the work as some think it to be. I find it...working with my hands and heart!

Try it tonight and see if your husband or kids notice.

"WHY? the nice table tonight?"...."What's the occasion?"..."Someone SPECIAL coming for dinner tonight?"

"YES....YOU!"

We always go back to Proverbs 31 and why not? The perfect chapter in a book on wisdom and instruction that brings blessings and rewards.

Proverbs 31:27-28 She looketh well to the ways of her household, she eateth not the bread of idleness.
Her children arise up, and call her blessed: her husband also, and he praiseth her.

Many a time, my husband has praised me for taking the time...he sees this as my appreciation to him for his hard labours day in and day out. He sees that little extra effort....for him...for my family and my home.

It says a lot more than you realize!

Perhaps you have a little extra something you do that you would like to share? Please leave it in a comment for my readers to glean. I'd love to know your "Creative Heart".

Thank you for visiting!
HOPE